Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-11-24

and racked my brain with thoughts Of
what had taken place. Early the next
morning my father set of on horseback tc
see to whom our little visitor belonged
and in an hour he returned, bringing
with him lady, richly dressed, and
very like my fairy as to eyes and hair and
milk-white skin. She was from distant
city, visiting at neighboring farm, and a.
she clasped Der little girl TO her she told
my mother how she came 10 stray away
She had put the little one in bed at al
early hour, but instead Of going to sleeI
Ethel had gone through an open door t.
watch the pretty moon, and, wandering
out into the grounds, had toddled on and
on until the house was far behind, anC
thus completely lost, she had passed
through the woods and come upon me as
sat in my private realm of fancy. Tht
mother did not miss the child till morn
ing, surprising her TO be safe and snug IL
bed, and then the searchers met my father
who speedily brought their labors to ar
end.
was at that time but a boy of ten, with
Ethel four full years my Junior, but saw
the little one often after that. During the
weeks her mother fingered at the farm
there was not q day but that Ethel and
| played together. told her otthe fairies
believed in and asked her mother to take her
with me to the magic woods, and when
grew indignant at the lady's smiles, and
said knew there were fairies there, else
where came Ethel on that summer night,
the mother clasped me close, and kissed
r uf
When autumn came my fairy went
away, but little mIssives, printed with
labOrious care in rugged characters, that
came and went from the city where she
dwelt showed that our childish friendship
still remained. How eagerly | looked and
longed for the return of the summer time.
When it came at last, Ethel came with IL,
and for weeks We played together and
talked of the fairies, as before. Three
years we passed in this manner, and then
left the old farm for a students life in
the city schools, and from thence to col
lege, and saw Ethel, but at periods far
apart. Each summer, however, we met
at the old farms, aud at these times we
never missed visit to the forests edge,
where We had first met in such peculiar
manner.
How bright and sweet little Ethel seemed
to grow as the years followed each other!
And Us she budded into wOmanhOOd she
became more dear to me than all the world
beside. How reiOiced when, at twenty
two, found myself from studies free, and
throwing books aside, | FASTENED home,
finding Ethel there to greet me and to say
how pleased she was at my success and
liberty.
That evening, perfect one in summer
time, we strolled to see the Old.time fairy
realms, and twas there my Ethel once
more placed her hand in mine, and | called
her Queen of Love rs well rs fairy land.
How glad that summer was to both.
AMI when the autumn came, it brought
our wedding day. Late iu November we
were married. Eight and twenty years
ago tomorrow. How long ago it seems
as look back tonight And yet how well
remember how she lOOked-how like that
other night, so long before, when ] first
beheld her come out from the wood, hold
ing her pure white gown from out the
grass, and looking at the moon.
And now she's gone, and |, white
haired and lonely, sit here tonight,
wealthy and honored, and dream Of the
boyish days and fairy land, and see my
little'girl come back again through all the
years, and shadelher eyes and looking, see
the mOOn-and me.
Icannot but look up to heaven and muir
muT:
IA that your home? | want to go; Pm
lost "